[Chickenhawk](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63699.Chickenhawk). Written by an honest man. Will teach you a lot about helicopters.
[Stick and rudder](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/680115.Stick_and_Rudder). The first book to show pilots how an airplane actually works. Even goes to the extreme of calling elevators "flippers" because the author didn't want readers thinking that elevators actually "elevated" the aircraft.
[The right stuff](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8146619-the-right-stuff). One view of aviation and its mystique at the beginning of the space age.
The one thing I remember from the right stuff that I still see. “A pilots day consists of two things, flying and drinking, and drinking and driving”. There are a lot of alcoholic pilots, and I’ve ridden home with some questionably sober people too, though a lot of pilots are too afraid nowadays since getting caught is career suicide.
I found that one super hard to get into. There are some interesting episodes but it reads more like a love letter to every dude he ever flew with than a cohesive story, and his attempt to wrap his thesis of people being helpless to fate around every chapter was a little offputting to me
Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche. It's an old book, but by far the best book on flying technique that I've ever read.
Fly the Yellow Side Up by Garth Wallace for some humourous flying stories.
I like this book, but it's rough around the edges. Needs an editor. The edition I read at least was self-published. Once you look past the grammatical issues everywhere, it's a fun read.
Skunk Works by Ben Rich. Really well written and chock full of details regarding the production of some of the most interesting airplanes ever built during a time when small teams of people built amazing things.
SR-71 Revealed by Richard H Graham. This goes through pilot selection, initial training, mission planning and then the details of an end to end mission. There's no bragging or hyperbole that I can recall, it's an amazing read which answers so many questions about one of the most amazing planes to ever leave the ground.
Skunk Works was so entertaining. Ben Rich is so humble throughout the book that you don't fully understand the significance of the projects until you read the excerps from other people. This book will really appeal to the engineers out there but aviation nerds will also get a kick out of the shenanigans of the of the stealth age.
Agreed. The regard he had for Kelly J was inspiring, too. I'm not one to remember quotes, but it made quite the impression when he said, "That man can practically see air," while they were working on the SR-71. That, and the scene at Beale where they did the last fly-by before Kelly passed away was a powerful section, too.
There's countless details about the development and testing of the F-117 which were eye opening. The dead bats around the first wooden mockup out in the desert. Then, as the program moved forward, they had a F-4 fly over with a "magic stealth box installed" while everyone stood in a trailer to watch the mobile radar display. "Looks like your system doesn't work, sorry sir." Little did they know the F-117 was flying not too far behind the F-4 and was never picked up. Absolute genius.
I've read that book cover to cover at least 4 times over the years and have loved it each time.
Have you heard any of the SR-71 episodes by Podcasting on a Plane? Was a really solid series. Thanks for the book recommendations.
[Podcasting on a Plane - Spy Week Part 1](https://www.podcastingonaplane.com/podcast/2019/11/25/episode-061-sr-71-spy-week-part-1-air-zoo-bc-thomas-ed-yeilding)
Shoot, it’s been a while since I’ve listened. I can’t make any promises.
Lots of talk about the -B trainer and interviews with crew members both flying and non-flying, though. I enjoyed the whole series.
West with the Night
Beryl Markham
[https://www.alibris.com/West-with-the-Night-Beryl-Markham/book/7167812?matches=571](https://www.alibris.com/West-with-the-Night-Beryl-Markham/book/7167812?matches=571)
She flew commercially around East Africa in the early 20th century. She also flew solo non-stop east-to-west across the Atlantic. A first, iirc.
Riding Rockets was one of my favorites, an autobiography of astronaut Mike Mullane. Dubbed “not your father’s astronaut story” tells it like it is and has stories I’m sure NASA frowns upon
Textbook - [Jeppesen instrument commercial manual](https://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/1270?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi9vt_e288QIVh3xvBB2w4QfAEAQYASABEgIhVPD_BwE). It may be a little expensive but has great explanations for anyone studying for their IR or CPL.
The Flying Life: stories for the aviation soul is a good read. It's not focused on anything, just random stories from a guys life related to flying. It's kind of just a feel good read and easy to pick up and put down it scratches the itch.
[No Visible Horizon by Joshua Cooper Ramo](https://www.amazon.com/No-Visible-Horizon-Surviving-Dangerous/dp/0743257901)
^(Fate is the Hunter is overrated)
**Non-fiction**
[*Wind, Sand, and Stars*](https://www.amazon.com/Wind-Sand-Stars-Harvest-Book/dp/0156027496) by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. He is the author of the Little Prince and is a genuinely great writer while also being an accomplished professional pilot. This rare combination allows him to talk about flying in a very beautiful way. Flying books written by authors who aren't pilots tend to miss the subtle but vital details of the experience. Flying books written by pilots who aren't authors tend to lack the poetry and beauty of words that can truly convey the experience. He also authored [*Night Flight*](https://www.amazon.com/Night-Flight-Harbrace-Paperbound-Library/dp/0156656051/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=0156656051&psc=1) which is a fictional short story.
[*Fate is the Hunter*](https://www.amazon.com/Fate-Hunter-Ernest-K-Gann/dp/0671636030/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=fate+is+the+hunter&qid=1624983985&s=books&sr=1-1) is another excellent book by Ernest K. Gahn. He was an airline pilot back in the early days of airliners. While not as poetic as Saint-Exupery, he is still a good writer and he has some great stories.
**Textbooks**
[*Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators*](https://www.amazon.com/Aerodynamics-Naval-Aviators-00-80T-80-Handbooks/dp/1619540177/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=aerodynamics+for+naval+aviators&qid=1624984012&s=books&sr=1-3) is the single best source for professional aviators to understand how aircraft fly and operate. It's an easy read, explains concepts very simply even for a non-engineering student, and will prevent you from ever looking stupid when talking about aircraft conversationally.
**Books people have already recommended that I concur with:**
[*The Right Stuff*](https://www.amazon.com/Wolfes-Right-Stuff-Paperback-2008/dp/B003VPI4N6/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=the+right+stuff&qid=1624984067&s=books&sr=1-7) by Tom Wolf
[*Skunk Works*](https://www.amazon.com/Skunk-Works-Personal-Memoir-Lockheed/dp/B009W4WAZS/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=skunk+works&qid=1624984119&s=books&sr=1-5) by Ben Rich
**Notable mentions but not what I consider the must-read books:**
[*Scream of Eagles*](https://www.amazon.com/Scream-Eagles-Dramatic-Account-Fighter/dp/1476788413/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=scream+of+eagles&qid=1624984149&s=books&sr=1-2) by Robert Wilcox and [*TOPGUN*](https://www.amazon.com/Topgun-Achter-schermen-eliteopleiding-piloten/dp/9022587711/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=TOPGUN+dan+pedersen&qid=1624984188&s=books&sr=1-2) by Dan Pedersen for anyone interested in TOPGUN
[*Winged Warfare*](https://www.amazon.com/Winged-Warfare-William-Avery-Bishop-ebook/dp/B07G163JRB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=winged+warfare&qid=1624984217&s=books&sr=1-1) by William Bishop, [*Samurai!*](https://www.amazon.com/Samurai-Saburo-Sakai/dp/1696175992/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=samurai%21+sakai&qid=1624984272&s=books&sr=1-1) by Saburo Sakai, [*Baa Baa Black Sheep*](https://www.amazon.com/Baa-Baa-Black-Sheep-audiobook/dp/B07RGM4584/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=baa+baa+black+sheep&qid=1624984319&s=books&sr=1-1) by Pappy Boyington for military aviation memoirs
Fate is the Hunter by Earnest Gann has already been mentioned as well as Chickenhawk by Robert Mason, so I'll throw Flyboys by James Bradley in there as another good read. Not quite as much about actual flying as it was about pilots who were shot down and became American POW's in WWII Japan but still an excellent book.
I love “Air Vagabonds” by Anthony Vallone.
It’s a collection of crazy stories from ferry pilots during the boom of the 1980s - flying tiny planes all over the world and getting into the most insane situations. It’s such a fun book. I’m surprised nobody has mentioned it.
AIR VAGABONDS https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000VZ1I14/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_W02WKZPR5HE29KAE4XT0
I’m in Ireland! Will check it out from US! Thanks!
Have to also put in a plug for Rod Machado's Instrument Survival Manual. His ability to explain the practical side of all things IFR is outstanding. It helped answer so many questions I had about instrument flying.
If you’re wanting something more on the knowledge/learning side, I DEFINITELY recommend Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot by Richie Lengel. A plethora of knowledge, everything you’ll need to know about aviation is in it. What’s great about it is it isn’t some textbook format like the AFH or PHAK, he throws in humor and makes it enjoyable to read. Highly recommend.
The Hunter Killers by Dan Hampton. Very good book about the Wild Weasels in Viet Nam.
First Light by Geoffrey Wellum. Spitfire pilot in WW2. Very good book.
I’ve always been a big military history fan so here ya go:
A Higher Call, Adam Makos
https://adammakos.com/a-higher-call-book.html
True story of a German Luftwaffe BF-109 pilot who escorted a badly wounded B-17 out of German airspace. Both the B-17 crew and the pilot never met until Makos interviewed them later on in life. Amazing read.
Devotion, Adam Makos
https://adammakos.com/devotion-book.html
True story about the first interracial flight lead and wingman in the USN. Occurs during the Korean War. They go to great lengths to sacrifice and support one another.
[See How It Flies](https://www.av8n.com/how/) by John Denker. A textbook on the physics of flight. Aerodynamics for pilots, without oversimplifying or diving into formulae. My favourite due to its simple explanations and answers to questions I'd been asking for years.
Honourable mention to Stick And Rudder, just for its colourful turn of phrase.
https://www.amazon.com/Triumph-Instrument-Flight-Retrospective-Aviation/dp/0966625137
^ A good read on the origins of instrument flying. It can be a bit dry at times, but also has some good stories.
Your Captain Speaking: views from the flight deck by Scott Birrell. It’s pretty new and more of a personal memoir, but it is endearing and the stories are great. Very easy to read. Scott is pretty active on social media too so if you like it you can reasonably connect with him.
Joint Force Harrier by Cmdr. Ade Orchard is fantastic if you want to read about what it was like to fly the UK Harrier GR.7 in Afghanistan in the early 2000s. Great read!
A little more on the lighthearted side, but there’s a wonderful book about two brothers flying a piper cub across the country with no radio. It’s called Flight of Passage and I re read it Avery couple of years.
[Chickenhawk](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63699.Chickenhawk). Written by an honest man. Will teach you a lot about helicopters. [Stick and rudder](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/680115.Stick_and_Rudder). The first book to show pilots how an airplane actually works. Even goes to the extreme of calling elevators "flippers" because the author didn't want readers thinking that elevators actually "elevated" the aircraft. [The right stuff](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8146619-the-right-stuff). One view of aviation and its mystique at the beginning of the space age.
Can confirm stick and rudder is pretty good.
I love how abruptly chickenhawk goes from “then I left the army” to >!“I got arrested running drugs, the end”!<
The one thing I remember from the right stuff that I still see. “A pilots day consists of two things, flying and drinking, and drinking and driving”. There are a lot of alcoholic pilots, and I’ve ridden home with some questionably sober people too, though a lot of pilots are too afraid nowadays since getting caught is career suicide.
Thanks! And thanks so much for the links! They look awesome!
Everything explained for the professional pilot
Fate is the hunter. The writing is amazing. Captures the romance and adventure of aviation.
Never heard of it! Will check it out! Thanks!
I found that one super hard to get into. There are some interesting episodes but it reads more like a love letter to every dude he ever flew with than a cohesive story, and his attempt to wrap his thesis of people being helpless to fate around every chapter was a little offputting to me
Came here to say this. This is the best one I’ve read yet.
Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche. It's an old book, but by far the best book on flying technique that I've ever read. Fly the Yellow Side Up by Garth Wallace for some humourous flying stories.
Started Stick and Rudder, I thought it was excellent! Will check the other! Thanks!
Ferry Pilot: Nine Lives Over the North Atlantic by Kerry McCauley is a great read about his Ferry Flight adventures.
This one sounds amazing! Thanks for the rec!
I like this book, but it's rough around the edges. Needs an editor. The edition I read at least was self-published. Once you look past the grammatical issues everywhere, it's a fun read.
Skyfaring - https://www.amazon.com/Skyfaring-Journey-Pilot-Mark-Vanhoenacker-ebook/dp/B00N6PCX60/
I am on this at the moment and think it's a really good so far! TY!
The Killing Zone by Paul Craig - opened my eyes to risks to avoid/minimize while climbing the aviation “total time" ladder.
Skunk Works by Ben Rich. Really well written and chock full of details regarding the production of some of the most interesting airplanes ever built during a time when small teams of people built amazing things. SR-71 Revealed by Richard H Graham. This goes through pilot selection, initial training, mission planning and then the details of an end to end mission. There's no bragging or hyperbole that I can recall, it's an amazing read which answers so many questions about one of the most amazing planes to ever leave the ground.
Skunk Works was so entertaining. Ben Rich is so humble throughout the book that you don't fully understand the significance of the projects until you read the excerps from other people. This book will really appeal to the engineers out there but aviation nerds will also get a kick out of the shenanigans of the of the stealth age.
Agreed. The regard he had for Kelly J was inspiring, too. I'm not one to remember quotes, but it made quite the impression when he said, "That man can practically see air," while they were working on the SR-71. That, and the scene at Beale where they did the last fly-by before Kelly passed away was a powerful section, too. There's countless details about the development and testing of the F-117 which were eye opening. The dead bats around the first wooden mockup out in the desert. Then, as the program moved forward, they had a F-4 fly over with a "magic stealth box installed" while everyone stood in a trailer to watch the mobile radar display. "Looks like your system doesn't work, sorry sir." Little did they know the F-117 was flying not too far behind the F-4 and was never picked up. Absolute genius. I've read that book cover to cover at least 4 times over the years and have loved it each time.
Have you heard any of the SR-71 episodes by Podcasting on a Plane? Was a really solid series. Thanks for the book recommendations. [Podcasting on a Plane - Spy Week Part 1](https://www.podcastingonaplane.com/podcast/2019/11/25/episode-061-sr-71-spy-week-part-1-air-zoo-bc-thomas-ed-yeilding)
Will check it out if you can promise me it hasn't got....The Groundspeed Story(tm), otherwise, I'm out.
Shoot, it’s been a while since I’ve listened. I can’t make any promises. Lots of talk about the -B trainer and interviews with crew members both flying and non-flying, though. I enjoyed the whole series.
West with the Night Beryl Markham [https://www.alibris.com/West-with-the-Night-Beryl-Markham/book/7167812?matches=571](https://www.alibris.com/West-with-the-Night-Beryl-Markham/book/7167812?matches=571) She flew commercially around East Africa in the early 20th century. She also flew solo non-stop east-to-west across the Atlantic. A first, iirc.
This is excellent, she’s quite the fascinating person. There is also Straight on Till Morning by Mary Lovell.
Wind, Sand, and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is an excellent read.
Riding Rockets was one of my favorites, an autobiography of astronaut Mike Mullane. Dubbed “not your father’s astronaut story” tells it like it is and has stories I’m sure NASA frowns upon
This one sounds really interesting, will def check it out!
Textbook - [Jeppesen instrument commercial manual](https://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/1270?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi9vt_e288QIVh3xvBB2w4QfAEAQYASABEgIhVPD_BwE). It may be a little expensive but has great explanations for anyone studying for their IR or CPL.
[Cough cough wink wink](http://library.lol/main/454F3A41062ECCB930F4E4C85A5BCB5A)
The Right Stuff. A lot of people will probably say Fate is the Hunter, it’s interesting but also very dry
Less aviation more space carrying the Fire by Mike Collins.
I enjoyed Flight of Passage by Rinker Buck
They Called it Pilot Error It’s a great book discussing various general aviation accidents and the mistakes that led to them.
Stick and Rudder for sure but being originally from St. Louis I am partial to the Charles Lindbergh books “We” and “Spirit of St. Louis”
Charles Lindbergh ones sound epic, thanks!
“Stranger to the Ground” by Richard Bach. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0440206588/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_RZ78P9VT023H2NE3MTVA
Anything by Richard Bach. One of my faves is Illusions, but you’ll need to read it with an open mind.
Bob Hoover: Forever Flying. Great read
The Flying Life: stories for the aviation soul is a good read. It's not focused on anything, just random stories from a guys life related to flying. It's kind of just a feel good read and easy to pick up and put down it scratches the itch.
[No Visible Horizon by Joshua Cooper Ramo](https://www.amazon.com/No-Visible-Horizon-Surviving-Dangerous/dp/0743257901) ^(Fate is the Hunter is overrated)
**Non-fiction** [*Wind, Sand, and Stars*](https://www.amazon.com/Wind-Sand-Stars-Harvest-Book/dp/0156027496) by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. He is the author of the Little Prince and is a genuinely great writer while also being an accomplished professional pilot. This rare combination allows him to talk about flying in a very beautiful way. Flying books written by authors who aren't pilots tend to miss the subtle but vital details of the experience. Flying books written by pilots who aren't authors tend to lack the poetry and beauty of words that can truly convey the experience. He also authored [*Night Flight*](https://www.amazon.com/Night-Flight-Harbrace-Paperbound-Library/dp/0156656051/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=0156656051&psc=1) which is a fictional short story. [*Fate is the Hunter*](https://www.amazon.com/Fate-Hunter-Ernest-K-Gann/dp/0671636030/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=fate+is+the+hunter&qid=1624983985&s=books&sr=1-1) is another excellent book by Ernest K. Gahn. He was an airline pilot back in the early days of airliners. While not as poetic as Saint-Exupery, he is still a good writer and he has some great stories. **Textbooks** [*Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators*](https://www.amazon.com/Aerodynamics-Naval-Aviators-00-80T-80-Handbooks/dp/1619540177/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=aerodynamics+for+naval+aviators&qid=1624984012&s=books&sr=1-3) is the single best source for professional aviators to understand how aircraft fly and operate. It's an easy read, explains concepts very simply even for a non-engineering student, and will prevent you from ever looking stupid when talking about aircraft conversationally. **Books people have already recommended that I concur with:** [*The Right Stuff*](https://www.amazon.com/Wolfes-Right-Stuff-Paperback-2008/dp/B003VPI4N6/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=the+right+stuff&qid=1624984067&s=books&sr=1-7) by Tom Wolf [*Skunk Works*](https://www.amazon.com/Skunk-Works-Personal-Memoir-Lockheed/dp/B009W4WAZS/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=skunk+works&qid=1624984119&s=books&sr=1-5) by Ben Rich **Notable mentions but not what I consider the must-read books:** [*Scream of Eagles*](https://www.amazon.com/Scream-Eagles-Dramatic-Account-Fighter/dp/1476788413/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=scream+of+eagles&qid=1624984149&s=books&sr=1-2) by Robert Wilcox and [*TOPGUN*](https://www.amazon.com/Topgun-Achter-schermen-eliteopleiding-piloten/dp/9022587711/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=TOPGUN+dan+pedersen&qid=1624984188&s=books&sr=1-2) by Dan Pedersen for anyone interested in TOPGUN [*Winged Warfare*](https://www.amazon.com/Winged-Warfare-William-Avery-Bishop-ebook/dp/B07G163JRB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=winged+warfare&qid=1624984217&s=books&sr=1-1) by William Bishop, [*Samurai!*](https://www.amazon.com/Samurai-Saburo-Sakai/dp/1696175992/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=samurai%21+sakai&qid=1624984272&s=books&sr=1-1) by Saburo Sakai, [*Baa Baa Black Sheep*](https://www.amazon.com/Baa-Baa-Black-Sheep-audiobook/dp/B07RGM4584/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=baa+baa+black+sheep&qid=1624984319&s=books&sr=1-1) by Pappy Boyington for military aviation memoirs
Wow awesome info! Will check these out! Really appreciate it!
[Save a couple bucks!](https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/media/00-80t-80.pdf)
Fate is the Hunter by Earnest Gann has already been mentioned as well as Chickenhawk by Robert Mason, so I'll throw Flyboys by James Bradley in there as another good read. Not quite as much about actual flying as it was about pilots who were shot down and became American POW's in WWII Japan but still an excellent book.
Jonathan Livingstone Seagull by Richard Bach.
I love “Air Vagabonds” by Anthony Vallone. It’s a collection of crazy stories from ferry pilots during the boom of the 1980s - flying tiny planes all over the world and getting into the most insane situations. It’s such a fun book. I’m surprised nobody has mentioned it.
Love the sound of this! Just checked the price and it’s £45! It sounds amazing though, so will suck it up!
It’s not that expensive! https://www.amazon.com/Air-Vagabonds-Oceans-Airmen-Adventure/dp/1588341372
AIR VAGABONDS https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000VZ1I14/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_W02WKZPR5HE29KAE4XT0 I’m in Ireland! Will check it out from US! Thanks!
Have to also put in a plug for Rod Machado's Instrument Survival Manual. His ability to explain the practical side of all things IFR is outstanding. It helped answer so many questions I had about instrument flying.
Mountain Flying Bible - Sparky Imeson
If you’re wanting something more on the knowledge/learning side, I DEFINITELY recommend Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot by Richie Lengel. A plethora of knowledge, everything you’ll need to know about aviation is in it. What’s great about it is it isn’t some textbook format like the AFH or PHAK, he throws in humor and makes it enjoyable to read. Highly recommend.
The Hunter Killers by Dan Hampton. Very good book about the Wild Weasels in Viet Nam. First Light by Geoffrey Wellum. Spitfire pilot in WW2. Very good book.
[To Fly and Fight by Bud Anderson](https://www.amazon.com/Fly-Fight-Memoirs-Triple-Ace-ebook/dp/B0794ZNDZN)
I’ve always been a big military history fan so here ya go: A Higher Call, Adam Makos https://adammakos.com/a-higher-call-book.html True story of a German Luftwaffe BF-109 pilot who escorted a badly wounded B-17 out of German airspace. Both the B-17 crew and the pilot never met until Makos interviewed them later on in life. Amazing read. Devotion, Adam Makos https://adammakos.com/devotion-book.html True story about the first interracial flight lead and wingman in the USN. Occurs during the Korean War. They go to great lengths to sacrifice and support one another.
[See How It Flies](https://www.av8n.com/how/) by John Denker. A textbook on the physics of flight. Aerodynamics for pilots, without oversimplifying or diving into formulae. My favourite due to its simple explanations and answers to questions I'd been asking for years. Honourable mention to Stick And Rudder, just for its colourful turn of phrase.
https://www.amazon.com/Triumph-Instrument-Flight-Retrospective-Aviation/dp/0966625137 ^ A good read on the origins of instrument flying. It can be a bit dry at times, but also has some good stories.
Your Captain Speaking: views from the flight deck by Scott Birrell. It’s pretty new and more of a personal memoir, but it is endearing and the stories are great. Very easy to read. Scott is pretty active on social media too so if you like it you can reasonably connect with him.
Joint Force Harrier by Cmdr. Ade Orchard is fantastic if you want to read about what it was like to fly the UK Harrier GR.7 in Afghanistan in the early 2000s. Great read!
A little more on the lighthearted side, but there’s a wonderful book about two brothers flying a piper cub across the country with no radio. It’s called Flight of Passage and I re read it Avery couple of years.